St. Barrys landed the Roscommon junior championship following a five point victory over Clann Na nGael after extra-time in Dr. Hyde Park
Clann started the game much stronger in the first-half racing into a four point lead. Points coming from Tomas O’Neil, Cian and Gavin McManus and Cathal Shine.
After 22 minutes St. Barrys recorded their first score compliments of Eoghan Diffley from play.
Barrys got the next three points of the half with the final point of the first-half coming from Aidan O’Boyle from play. The sides were tied, four points apiece at half-time.
Clann began the second-half in similar fashion; Thomas O’Neil scoring two points inside the first two minutes of the second-half. Cillian Campbell’s response for Barrys was instant with a point from play.
Jason Mulvey and Cian Quinn traded points for their sides before an Emmett Conroy free brought the sides level at seven points apiece.
However, Clann raced into a three point lead. Points from Tomas O’Neil, Rian Mcnamara and Ronan Gavin appeared to have them back in the driving seat on the 48th minute.
As was the story earlier in the game Barrys rallied together and brought the game level with three unanswered points. Kyle Cawley and a brace of points from John Murtagh.
In the 57th minute, Barrys took the lead for the first time, through a Murtagh free. Three minutes later one of the most experienced men on the pitch sent the game to extra-time as Cathal Shine equalised from play.
Extra-time got under way and so did the Barrys forward line. Eoghan Diffley, Shane Mcgarry and the experienced David Keenan scored a point each from play. Diffley added another point just before half-time in extra-time as Barry’s led by four.
John Murtagh was finding the target with ease at this stage, scored the first point of the second period of extra-time from play. With 72 minutes of football played up stepped Eoghan Diffley to score what would be his side’s final score of the game.
Clann did register a point which proved nothing more than consolation.
St. Barrys running out 17–12 winners and securing their first Roscommon county title since 2007, ending a 17-year drought.
